Marble Falls ISD is proud to announce strategic assistant principal transitions designed to support leadership development and enhance student success across campuses.
These changes reflect the district’s continued commitment to growing leaders from within and strengthening connections
with the community.
Beginning the 2025-26 school year, Lauren Berkman will serve as the Colt Elementary School assistant principal, and Kathy Payson will become the Highland Lakes Elementary assistant principal.
Colt Elementary
Berkman is a proud third-generation native of Marble Falls with a deep-rooted passion for serving the Marble Falls and Highland Lakes community.
Her journey in education began in 2009 as a paraprofessional at Marble Falls Elementary while completing her bachelor’s degree at Texas Tech University.
In 2012, she returned to Marble Falls ISD as a classroom teacher and cheer coach at Marble Falls High School, a role she held until 2019.
She then transitioned back to Marble Falls Elementary, where she served as an instructional coach for three years before stepping into campus leadership as assistant principal in 2022.
Now entering her 17th year in three years as an instructional coach, and three years as an assistant principal.
Berkman’s career is guided by the belief that every child matters and deserves someone in their corner — cheering them on, offering guidance, and showing grace.
Her greatest source of joy is her family.
She is married to John Berkman, a teacher and coach at Marble Falls High School, and together they are raising four children: Mya (MFHS Class of 2018), Alyssa (MFHS Class of 2023), Beckett (a rising junior at MFHS) and Collins (a rising 8th grader at MFMS).
Outside of school, she is often found in the stands supporting her children, husband or former students at local sporting events.
She also enjoys working out, teaching a functional strength training class, crafting and reading.
Berkman is excited to begin this new chapter and is honored to serve another incredible community of families within Marble Falls ISD.
Highland Lakes Elementary
Payson is passionate about cultivating community wherever she goes. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Teaching from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Her early teaching experience includes serving as a teacher’s assistant in Sweden and teaching math and science in Puerto Rico.
After earning her master’s degree in 2006, she co-founded the thirdgrade curriculum at an urban charter school in Rhode Island that focused on empowering students, teachers and families to create positive change in their communities. In 2013, Payson and her family moved to Marble Falls, where she has since served in a variety of roles within MFISD — including classroom teacher at Marble Falls Elementary, instructional coach at Marble Falls Elementary, Spicewood Elementary and Colt Elementary, and most recently, assistant principal at Colt.
She brings over 20 years of experience in education, including 10 years as a classroom teacher, six years as an instructional coach, and four years in campus leadership.
Payson and her husband, Alex — owner of Numinous Coffee Roasters and president of the Marble Falls ISD Board of Trustees — live in Marble Falls with their twins, Magnolia and Zellam, who attend Marble Falls Middle School.
Their family enjoys spending time outdoors, running long distances together and connecting with their extended family.
Payson looks forward to her time at Highland Lakes Elementary and said, “I believe that every child has great potential, and working together to create a sense of belonging helps everyone thrive. I am blessed to have served the communities at three of our elementary schools, and I look forward to engaging all students, teachers, and families as we unite at Highland Lakes Elementary - one team, one mission - and among all of our amazing campuses.”
“We are incredibly fortunate to have leaders like Mrs. Payson and Mrs. Berkman — educators whose roots run deep in our district and who are deeply committed to the communities they serve. Their long- standing dedication to Marble Falls ISD is a powerful testament to the kind of continuity and care we value.
I’m confident that their leadership will continue to shape and strengthen our campuses for years to come,” Gasaway added.
